On Thursday June, 30, 2016, beginning at 8:30 AM, Tammany Utilities (TU) will be repairing a leaking water main along Cross Gates Boulevard. The work will require that the water be turned off to Tammany Utilities customers in the limited area along Willow Wood Drive, Goldenwood Drive and Cross Gates Boulevard, shown below. Service will be restored by 5 PM Thursday June 30, 2016.

Once water service is restored, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Department of Health and Hospital regulations, a precautionary BOIL ADVISORY will be in place for the customers identified above. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by Tammany Utilities. It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

Tammany Utilities will rescind this BOIL ADVISORY upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our system have shown the water to be safe. We anticipate that the earliest the BOIL ADVISORY will be rescinded will be Friday, July 1st.

Customers affected by this advisory will be advised when it is rescinded by hand delivered notices. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 643-1376.

Wed Jun 29

St. Tammany Parish Government Offices Closed in Observance of July 4th

All non-emergency offices of St. Tammany Parish Government will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2016, in observance of Independence Day. In addition, the Department of Animal Services will be closed on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 8 a.m.

Thu Jun 23

Plans for Safe Haven Campus in Mandeville Rolled Out

St. Tammany Parish Government, in conjunction with Kurt Salmon, a leading Health Care consultant firm, unveiled the strategic plans for the Parish's Safe Haven Campus earlier this week at a Town Hall meeting. Parish President Pat Brister opened the public meeting by articulating her vision for the future of behavioral healthcare on the campus. The purpose of the meeting was to share with the community, the culmination of the planning efforts by the Safe Haven Task Force and stakeholder interviews. The presentation included an overview of the planning process, a discussion of the current state of behavioral health, both on a national level and in St. Tammany, the Safe Haven vision and goals, and the Safe Haven Campus Master Plan.

“In 2012, when the State of Louisiana announced the closure of Southeast Hospital — the state of Behavioral Health services in St. Tammany was dire,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “However, what once seemed like a curse — the end of available behavioral health services in our community — turned into the inspired beginning of our vision of a model for the continuum of care of behavioral health services. We will capitalize on the partnerships that assisted us in saving behavioral healthcare in the Parish to further the vision of Safe Haven.”

Brister went on to say, "This campus and its operations will be a gold standard for other communities across the country to emulate. More importantly, the people we care about, who need assistance, will get the help they deserve. This is a systemic problem, requiring all agencies to work collaboratively while keeping the patient at the center of all of our decisions and actions."

The proposed Safe Haven timeline includes the planning and design of behavioral healthcare that will allow patients to be offered all the services they might need through partnerships borne out of the launch of Safe Haven. Additionally, remediation and renovation of the current buildings on campus will provide a home to multiple agencies in order to provide critical services in a convenient location. The remediation and renovations of the main facilities are expected to begin in early 2017, with two facilities operational — the NAMI drop-In Center, and the Family Promise Day Center — by mid-2017. The first phase of the long-term strategy will include crisis intervention and healing services centers which are expected to be fully operational by 2019.

The Safe Haven Campus is located at the site of the former Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville. The vision of Safe Haven is as follows: Safe Haven will provide a collaborative healing environment for the behavioral health continuum by creating a high-quality, coordinated, sustainable and humane network of care anchored in St. Tammany Parish.

To learn more about the project and updates on the progress of the facility, visit www.safehavenstp.org.

St. Tammany Parish Government Will Not Increase Millage Rate

St. Tammany Parish Government will not increase property taxes in 2016, through a millage rate increase. Parish Government will adopt the adjusted millages set by the assessor’s office.

“Parish Government will not raise property taxes this year through a millage increase,” Said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “We are accountable for every tax dollar that we take in, and as such, it is important that residents know that we continue to work within our means as we have since the start of my administration. We have not increased our millage rate since 2006.”

“The St. Tammany Parish Council does not take taxation lightly, and we thoroughly consider the implications that come with a millage increase,” said Marty Dean, St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman. “Therefore, we will not adopt a millage rate increase, but we will adopt the adjusted millages set by the St. Tammany Assessor’s Office.”

Fri Jun 10

PRECAUTIONARY BOIL ADVISORY Alton Community in Slidell Alton Water System (PWS 1103145)

On Friday, June 10, 2016, at approximately 5:30 PM, an electrical issue caused the Alton Water System to lose pressure. Once water service is restored, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Department of Health and Hospital regulations, a precautionary BOIL ADVISORY will be in place for Tammany Utilities customers in the Alton Community.

This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by Tammany Utilities. It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

Tammany Utilities will rescind this BOIL ADVISORY upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our system have shown the water to be safe. We anticipate that the earliest the BOIL ADVISORY will be rescinded will be Tuesday, June 14th.

Customers affected by this advisory will be advised when it is rescinded by an automated phone call, signs placed throughout the neighborhood and notices on the Parish Government’s social media sites. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 643-1376.

Fri Jun 10

World Changers Return to St. Tammany Parish for a Fifth Year

For five consecutive days,beginning Monday,June 13,volunteers from the Lifewaygroup, WorldChangers, will give new life to thehomes of low to moderate-income families in St. Tammany Parish. This year, the World Changers group includes 140 participants, from nine different churches and six different states —Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. The homeowners were selected through an application process,and many are disabled and/orelderly. Residences who will receive repairs are located in Abita Springs, Covington, Lacombe, and Madisonville and unincorporated St. Tammany Parish. This is the fifth year the group has worked with St. Tammany Parish Government.

“World Changers every year, comes here and improves the lives of those who need it most, and we are so grateful for their presence,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “This is an example of why we value collaboration here in St. Tammany, because when we work together — public, faith-based and private organizations — and bring our strengths together, so much is accomplished, and so many people’s lives are impacted in a positive way.”

Dr. Bill Boren, Family Life Pastor at First Baptist Church Covingtonand Project Coordinator for the local project added,“This World Changers project is a great opportunity for partnership between theNorthshore Baptist Association of Churches and local Parish Government. It is wonderful to see how we can work together to help our community. By the end of the week, St. Tammany Parish, a wonderful place to live, will be even better. World Changers is a wonderful picture of faith in action.”Many of the local churches are supporting the event by providing lunch each day to the volunteers at the worksites.The studentswill be housed at First Baptist Church of Covington for the week.

Approximately $25,000 in materials used to complete the repairs,like lumber, paint, windows and doors,are purchased through a Community Development Block Grant (CBDG).Repairs and improvements to the homes included building ramps and decks, replacing siding, doors and windows, pressure washing, tree trimming and landscaping. On average,the expense for participating students to volunteer and take part in this project is $300,an expense incurred solely by the volunteers.By harnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers,the Parish’s investment yields a great impact,both economically and socially, to the community.

The Hokie Gajan Family Fishing Rodeo Coming up at the St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier

The annual St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier Hokie Gajan Family Fishing Rodeo is Saturday, June 18, 2016.This year the event will honor the late Hokie Gajan, Northshore native and lover of all things bound to nature. Come and meet Hokie’s family, create some of your own fish stories, support the St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier, and Honor Hokie’s passion.

St. Tammany Parish Government has partnered with the Gajan family and Gajan’s Got Game, the foundation Hokie’s family started in his name. Sponsors of the rodeo include, Pro Printers and Sportsmen’s Warehouse. Registration begins at 6 a.m. and weigh-in is at noon. Entry fees are $10 for everyone 12 and older, and $5 for everyone under the age of 12. Cash and checks are the only forms of payment that will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded to the top two fish in each of the six categories, in each age group (adult and child). Weighmaster’s Top Pick will also be awarded. Complete rules as well as the registration form can be found atwww.sttammanyfishingpier.com. For additional information call 985-649-1922. The St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier is owned and operated by St. Tammany Parish Government. It is located near Slidell at 54001 East Howze Beach Road.

Fri Jun 3

Partners Launch Tammany Trails

St. Tammany Parish Government as well as the Louisiana Office of State Parks and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were on-hand today at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, to kick off Tammany Trails. Tammany Trails is a co-branding partnership between local, State and Federal Agencies to promote the green and blue trails, both primitive and improved, throughout our entire Parish no matter the agency they fall under. This initiative also seeks to form partnerships among agencies at all levels to focus on recreation, conservation, tourism and economic development. Through an online presence, Tammany Trails will provide mapping and other resources related to the navigation of the trails. In addition, Tammany Trails will incrementally implement signage on the greenways and blueways throughout St. Tammany.

“This is a collective mission that is multidimensional and will achieve multiple objectives,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “And I want to commend our partner agencies for their enthusiasm and participation. St. Tammany is often known for setting a pace in our State on innovation and Tammany Trails is no exception. Our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets, not just in St. Tammany, but throughout the entire State of Louisiana, so to work together to raise awareness about how they enhance our unparalleled quality of life, and to give our children and their children this gift to utilize, care for, and conserve — this will impact our community on several levels for generations.”

“Our State Parks are treasured amenities in Louisiana, and to raise awareness about the possibilities that are open to families, tourists and anyone who just wishes to enjoy nature, is a great thing for our state,” said Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Louisiana. “We welcome this initiative and stand with St. Tammany Parish Government and our partner agencies as together we build on the future of Tammany Trails.”

“Any initiative that increases access to the outdoors is a program that our agency will rally behind,” said Charlie Melancon, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. “We are proud to partner with St. Tammany Parish and the Tammany Trails program to encourage access to the many miles of trails and waterways in the Parish.”

The benefits of co-branding trail ways include: increased visibility, added tourism opportunities, conservation of these natural resources and the economic impact of having such a wealth of available outdoor recreational opportunities to locals and visitors alike. As lagniappe, the formation of these partnerships at all levels of government can have great impact on this effort when working as one. To learn more about Tammany Trails, visit www.tammanytrails.org.

The following partner agencies thus far:

§ St. Tammany Parish Government – The mission of St. Tammany Parish Government is to provide and enhance services that support the health, safety and quality of life of our residents and communities in a transparent, efficient and fiscally responsible way

§ The Lieutenant Governor’s office

§ Office of Louisiana State Parks

§ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Pearl River Wildlife Management area

§ Northlake Nature Center

§ Wildlife and Fisheries

§ Land Trust for Louisiana

§ The Nature Conservancy

§ City of Slidell

§ The Tammany Trace Foundation

§ Town of Abita Springs

§ City of Covington

§ City of Mandeville

§ Town of Pearl River

§ St. Tammany Recreation Districts #1

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Fri May 27

Cleco Presents St. Tammany Parish Government with CitySmart Incentive Check for over $23,000

St. Tammany Parish Government received their second rebate check in the amount of $23, 212.04 from Cleco, as part of the CitySmart—Commercial and Industrial Solutions Program. The first check, presented in November of 2015, was in the amount of $36,234.55. Over the past sixteen months, the St. Tammany Parish Department of Facilities Management identified several areas in which to maximize energy efficiency through the installation of new energy efficient technologies. Once these changes were in place, Cleco verified the improvements and calculated program incentives based upon the estimated annualized energy savings.

The grant incentive that was earned in this period includes upgrades performed at the Justice Center, the Wellness Center, Building B, on Koop Drive, and the Fairgrounds Annex building.

St. Tammany Parish Government Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

All non-emergency offices of St. Tammany Parish Government will be closed, on Monday, May 30, 2016, in observance of Memorial Day. In addition, the Department of Animal Services will be closed on Saturday, May, 28, 2016. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at 8 a.m.

Tue May 17

South Louisiana Parish Presidents Formalize Group

After three beneficial meetings, Parish Presidents from the South Louisiana region have decided to form an organized association, with set meetings on a regular basis. The original meeting occurred in St. Tammany Parish in February of this year. This was an informal coalition-building, idea exchange to discuss many of the pressing and critical issues that are facing the State. The group has since met two additional times for the same purpose. At their meeting last week, it was decided that this informal coalition would now be formalized.

“These meetings have yielded amazing results,” said Brister. “Not only have we gotten to know one another personally and professionally, we have learned that though we come from different regions, and different sized communities, we all face similar problems. When we come together, we exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and work together as a force in our region to advocate for what is best for our residents at the local level. It is a phenomenal resource for each one of us.”

In addition, the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) for each Parish involved have decided to from their own coalition for the same purpose. To date, 21 Parishes have been invited to participate.

Fri May 13

Kelly Rabalais, St. Tammany Parish Government Executive Counsel Earns Excellence in Government Award

The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) recognized Kelly Rabalais, Executive Counsel and Director of the Legal Department for St. Tammany Parish Government, with the Excellence in Government Award 2016 Merit Award. The annual award, established in 1994 by the BGR, recognizes government employees and private citizens for outstanding performance and creative problem-solving.

Kelly has been with St. Tammany Parish Government since 2007. Among the accomplishments that earned recognition are: facilitating Parish Government’s purchase of the Southeast Louisiana Hospital and her diligent work to ensure that the Parish will be able to accomplish the multiple goals planned for this property; her leadership role on the Safe Haven project — a multi-agency, continuum of care behavioral health facility slated to locate on the Southeast Hospital campus; and leading efforts to revise personnel policies in more than a decade.

“Kelly defines leadership by example through her actions every single day,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “She is protective, proactive and innovative in her role as Executive Counsel. She is a brilliant motivator and a positive force in our organization. Kelly will take whatever steps are necessary and right to make extraordinary things happen, and she will see a project through down to the smallest detail. She is a driving force in bringing the operations of Parish Government into the future as we continue grow. We are very proud of Kelly, and we are grateful to BGR for taking the time to recognize excellence in government, as public servants are often overlooked for the work they do daily to better their communities.”

In her role as Executive Counsel and Director of the Legal Department, she serves as chief legal advisor and provides legal representation to the Parish President, Parish Administration and Parish Departments. Major functions provided by the Legal Department include: process and conduct all land acquisitions; review and approve all contracts; receive and process all records requests; review public bid proposals and requests for proposals, respond to bid protests, enforce contracts, and provide legal advice on procurement issues. They are also responsible for the administration of the Risk Management Office.

The BGR is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization that is dedicated to gathering information on government and other public issues.

Tue May 3

Annual Report Released On-Line or In-Print

President Pat Brister has released the 2015 St. Tammany Parish Annual Report. The report pinpoints in detail, the revenues and expenditures of St. Tammany Parish Government, as well as accomplishments by departments within Parish Government, in keeping with the tenets of customer service, transparency, collaboration and accountability embraced by the Brister administration. To save on cost, limited numbers of the abbreviated Annual Report are printed, and the remainder of entire report can be reviewed at www.stpgov.org.

“The Annual Report offers a glimpse into how Parish Government works,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “I encourage every citizen to learn more about the inner workings of Parish Government departments through this report. As always we welcome and encourage citizen input and involvement.”

Printed copies of the reports are available for pickup in St. Tammany Parish libraries and at Parish Offices. The entire report, including reports on individual departments of St. Tammany Parish Government, can be viewed at www.stpgov.org.

St. Tammany Parish Government has initiated the process of an online-adjudicated property auction through CivicSource, a leading auctioneer of tax-distressed real estate. The goal of this on-going property auction is to achieve multiple objectives including, the placement of adjudicated properties back into commerce, the reduction of blight, to offer the opportunity of property ownership in St. Tammany to every resident, and to give the original property owner a chance to settle their outstanding tax bills and redeem their properties. 1300 properties are currently being evaluated for future auctions, or redemption.

“By placing these properties back into commerce, there will be an estimated economic impact of $275,000 per year, based on their assessment in the current state — with improvements, this amount will eventually increase,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “In addition, property owners who live next door to properties already in the auction inventory, and who meet certain legal requirements, could potentially purchase that property for $1 plus closing costs. This is a great opportunity to increase their own property values, strengthen their neighborhoods, and play an essential role in blight reduction. We encourage any person interested in property ownership in St. Tammany to browse the property inventory and take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Through this online auction process, the legal legwork to vet each property is part of the purchase price of each parcel. Parish Government will have no out-of-pocket expenses, only net return,” said Kelly Rabalais, Director, St. Tammany Parish Legal Department. “In addition, the fact that anyone, from the convenience of their own home, can participate in the auction increases the exposure to the sale and increases the opportunity for investment in St. Tammany Parish.”

Interested buyers can visit www.civicsource.com to view a map, a list, or a street view of the initial auction inventory of 129 adjudicated properties and register to participate in the auction. Registered users then nominate properties that will initiate the process through a $750 deposit and place the nominated property into an active auction. With CivicSource as the auction facilitator, the final sale price of each property includes a clear title, title insurance, and closing fees. The initial $750 deposit will go toward the sale price of the winning bid. Complete details about the online auction process are available at www.civicsource.com/help, or interested buyers can call (888) 387-8033, Monday-Friday from 8a.m.-5p.m. to speak with a help representative from CivicSource and have their questions answered.

The first adjudicated property sale by St. Tammany Parish Government occurred in 2013 and resulted in the sale of 81 properties for $394,400, as well as the redemption of eight properties by the original owners who also settled their outstanding tax bills with the Parish.

Today (April 27, 2016), Tammany Utilities received confirmation from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the water we provide you is safe for consumption. Therefore, the Boil Advisory is rescinded.

If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

On Monday, April 25, 2016 at approximately 5 PM a water line was broken in Countryside Subdivision causing a loss in water pressure to the above identified subdivisions. The subsequent repair was completed and water service restored by 6 PM.

Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Department of Health and Hospital regulations, a precautionary BOIL ADVISORY is in place for the customers in the subdivisions identified above. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by Tammany Utilities. It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

Tammany Utilities will rescind this BOIL ADVISORY upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our system have shown the water to be safe. We anticipate that the earliest the BOIL ADVISORY will be rescinded will be Wednesday, April 27th.

Customers affected by this advisory will be advised when it is rescinded by an automated telephone call, signs placed at the entrances to the subdivisions and notices on the Parish Government’s social media sites. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Fri Apr 15

Slidell Location of FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to Permanently Close on Friday, April 22, 2016

The Slidell location of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in St. Tammany Parish, on the first floor of the Towers Administrative Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail, will not open for clients on Sunday, April 17, 2016. The DRC will resume operation on Monday, April 18, 2016 from 8 a.m. – 6p.m. and remain open through Friday, April 22, 2016 at 6p.m. when it will close permanently.

Applicants in need of services beyond April 22, 2016 should contact FEMA, at 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov . If residents need to speak with someone in person, they can visit the DRC in Tangipahoa Parish located at the Parish Planning Commission Building, 42271 South Morrison Blvd. in Hammond. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. To access resources to aid in your disaster recovery, visit www.stpgov.org/disaster .

Mon Apr 11

Debris Pickup in St. Tammany Parish Will Continue Until April 29, 2016

St. Tammany Parish Government is extending debris pickup through Friday, April 29, 2016. Residents of St. Tammany, on both the eastern and western sides of the Parish, who have flood debris that has not yet been removed, are asked to call the Department of Public Works at 985-898-2557, and give your address. Residents are asked to adhere to FEMA guidelines for debris pickup. All debris should be separated into piles and placed at the outer perimeter of property in the right-of-way, but not blocking the roadway. If your property does not have an area of right of way large enough to accommodate the debris, please place it as close to the edge of your property line as possible. The arm of the debris removal truck must be able to reach the debris. Do not place debris in black garbage bags or it will not be picked up. Debris removal crews must be able to see the debris in order to separate it correctly. White goods in the whole of St. Tammany will be retrieved at a later date because they are disposed of in a different manner and at a different location than vegetative and construction debris, so residents are advised not to be concerned if your appliances are not picked up with the bulk of your separated debris.

The six categories are as follows: vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, appliances and white goods, electronics, and household hazardous waste.

Today (April 8, 2016), Tammany Utilities received confirmation from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the water we provide you is safe for consumption. Therefore, the Boil Advisory is rescinded. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Wed Apr 6

District 13 Community Meeting

Councilwoman S. Michele Blanchard’s District Meeting for Parish Council District 13 constituents will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.at the Council Board Room located on the 5th floor of the Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell, LA 70458.

The following items will be discussed at the meeting:

1. Issues pending the Council;

2. Lighting and Sewer Districts-Guest Speaker Mike Sevante;

3. Councilwoman’s monthly report;

4. Community Concerns; and

5. Any other items of interest and concerns to District 13 constituents.

Anyone wishing additional information concerning the meeting should contact District 13 Parish Councilwoman, S. Michele Blanchard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, beginning at 9 AM, Tammany Utilities (TU) will be replacing the fire hydrant at the intersection of Savoie Drive and Piper Lane in Mandeville (weather permitting). The work will require that the water be turned off to Tammany Utilities water customers located within the highlighted area shown in the image below. Water service will be restored by 5 PM Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

Once water service is restored, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Department of Health and Hospital regulations, a precautionary BOIL ADVISORY will be in place for the customers identified above. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by Tammany Utilities. It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

Tammany Utilities will rescind this BOIL ADVISORY upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our system have shown the water to be safe. We anticipate that the earliest the BOIL ADVISORY will be rescinded will be Friday, April 8th.

Customers affected by this advisory will be advised when it is rescinded by hand delivered notices and notices on the Parish Government’s social media sites. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Today (April 1, 2016), Tammany Utilities received confirmation from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the water we provide you is safe for consumption. Therefore, the Boil Advisory is rescinded.

If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Wed Mar 30

Covington Location of FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Closing

The Covington location of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in St. Tammany Parish will permanently close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016. The Covington DRC is located at Coquille Parks and Recreation, 13505 Highway 1085, Gym Number One. Applicants in need of services beyond March 31, 2016 should visit the Slidell DRC, on the first floor of the Towers Administrative Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail. The Slidell DRC will allow St. Tammany Parish citizens who have suffered losses due to the flooding event earlier in the month to have access to recovery assistance from multiple agencies. In addition to FEMA personnel assisting residents with their process, Small Business Administration (SBA) personnel will also be available to answer questions.

To apply for individual disaster assistance from FEMA, call 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov . Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. To access resources to aid in your disaster recovery, visit www.stpgov.org/disaster.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, beginning at 9 AM, Tammany Utilities (TU) will be replacing an 8” water valve located at the intersection of Elmwood Street and Cedarwood Street in Mandeville. The work will require that the water be turned off to Tammany Utilities water customers located within the highlighted area shown in the image below. Water service will be restored by 5 PM Wednesday, March 30, 2016.

Once water service is restored, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Department of Health and Hospital regulations, a precautionary BOIL ADVISORY will be in place for the customers identified above. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by Tammany Utilities. It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

Tammany Utilities will rescind this BOIL ADVISORY upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our system have shown the water to be safe. We anticipate that the earliest the BOIL ADVISORY will be rescinded will be Friday, April 1st.

Customers affected by this advisory will be advised when it is rescinded by hand delivered notices and notices on the Parish Government’s social media sites. If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

St. Tammany Parish Government Department of Grants will hold two Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) meetings to assist eligible homeowners in collecting the required paperwork for the completion of the application for grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers, 21490 Koop Drive in Mandeville, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The second meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 2016, on the 5th floor of the Towers Administration Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail, in Slidell, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

The FMA program is designed to mitigate high risk residential properties in an effort to reduce flood losses throughout the Parish. The mitigation process would provide approved property owners with funding to elevate their homes, bringing the structures into compliance with current flood mapping data. In order to ensure that all eligible homeowners who want to apply are included, eligible residents who have been notified are asked to bring the following items to the meeting:

· Copy of Driver’s License or State Issued Photo Identification of owner and co-owner of property

· Copy of the current Flood Insurance Declaration Page

· (Not required but recommended) Appraisal of property or Footprint to show square footage

· (Not required but recommended) Elevation Certificate

St. Tammany Parish Government will provide the Voluntary Participation Agreement and the Notarized Homeowners Affidavit Form (regarding assistance received in the past). If you are unable to attend one of the above meetings, please return all of the documents listed above, including the Voluntary Participation Agreement and the Notarized Homeowners Affidavit Form linked here, to St. Tammany Parish, Department of Grants, Hazard Mitigation Office, P.O. Box 628, Covington, LA 70434 by Friday, April 15th, 2016. If you have any questions regarding these documents, please feel free to contact the Department of Grants at (985) 867-5095 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Upon review of your submittal, a Grants Project Manager will contact you regarding the next steps.

Two Parish-Wide Jail and Justice Center Complex sales taxes are slated to come up for renewal on the Municipal General/ Special Primary election ballot, April 9, 2016. These revenues will continue to fund operations and maintenance needs of the St. Tammany Parish Jail, and the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center complex in Covington, including the Slidell Justice Center annex located in the Towers Building. Since 1998, these dedicated revenues, ¼¢ each (one fourth of one percent), have been used solely for the purposes of funding the operations and maintenance of these entities. A yes vote would renew the tax for an additional 20 years.

“The community we live in is safe and secure, and the services provided through all of these agencies funded through these taxes, play a role in that safety on several levels,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “As our community continues to grow, the need for services of these agencies will grow as well, so I urge every voter in St. Tammany to vote on these two taxes which have been in place for 18 years as a dedicated funding source.”

“The two sales tax renewals are crucial to the future of public safety here in St. Tammany, “said Randy Smith, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff-Elect. “The money collected through these dedicated taxes directly impact two major components of our justice system — the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center and the St. Tammany Parish jail — and the impact on public safety will be felt for the next two decades.”

Each of these taxes brings in approximately $11,300,000 annually. In addition to the funding of facilities and maintenance of agencies within the Jail and Justice Center including: the 22nd Judicial District Court, the District Attorney, the Public Defender, the Clerk of Court, the Registrar of Voters, the Assessor, the Sheriff and the Jail, the funds will also be allocated to support capital needs of existing facilities. At the courthouse: roof replacement, technology upgrades as warranted, security equipment upgrades, air conditioning maintenance and replacement as needed, and basement moisture barrier replacement. At the jail: maximum security door system replacement, razor wire fence additions, plumbing upgrades, roof repair and replacement, technology upgrades as warranted, and sewer treatment upgrades.

Early voting for the April 9, 2016 Municipal General/ Special Primary election begins March 26 – April2, 2016. Visit www.stprov.org for election information. To read more about the proposed Parish-wide tax renewals click here.

Wed Mar 23

St. Tammany Parish Government Announces Opening of Second Disaster Recovery Center

A second FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at Coquille Parks and Recreation located at 13505 Highway 1085 in Covington, Gym Number One. The DRC’s hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. – 6p.m. from March 24th- 26th, closed on Easter Sunday, and then open again beginning Monday, March 28th through Thursday, March 31st. Applicants in need of services beyond March 31, 2016 will be asked to go to the DRC in Slidell, on the first floor of the Towers Administrative Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail. The DRC will allow St. Tammany Parish citizens who have suffered losses due to the flooding event earlier in the month. In addition to FEMA personnel assisting residents with their process, Small Business Administration (SBA) personnel will also be available to answer questions.

To apply for individual disaster assistance from FEMA, call 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov .Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. To access resources to aid in your disaster recovery, visit www.stpgov.org/disaster.

Wed Mar 23

St. Tammany Parish Government Announces Opening of Second Disaster Recovery Center

A second FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at Coquille Parks and Recreation located at 13505 Highway 1085 in Covington, Gym Number One. The DRC’s hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. – 6p.m. from March 24th- 26th, closed on Easter Sunday, and then open again beginning Monday, March 28th through Thursday, March 31st. Applicants in need of services beyond March 31, 2016 will be asked to go to the DRC in Slidell, on the first floor of the Towers Administrative Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail. The DRC will allow St. Tammany Parish citizens who have suffered losses due to the flooding event earlier in the month have access to recovery assistance from multiple agencies. In addition to FEMA personnel assisting residents with their process, Small Business Administration (SBA) personnel will also be available to answer questions.

To apply for individual disaster assistance from FEMA, call 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov .Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. To access resources to aid in your disaster recovery, visit www.stpgov.org/disaster.

Wed Mar 23

Debris Pickup Deadlines Set in St. Tammany Parish

In order for St. Tammany Parish to meet the FEMA guidelines for debris pickup reimbursement, Parish Government has laid out more details and has set deadlines for citizens to place flood-related debris at the curb for free pickup. These guidelines are to assist property owners of the 673 flood-damaged structures in western St. Tammany and 45 flood-damaged structures in eastern St. Tammany.

Debris pickup in St. Tammany Parish has been scheduled on the west side of the Parish from Tuesday, March 22, 2016 through Thursday, March 31, 2016. Crews in this sector will pick up debris in all flood-impacted areas West of Louisiana Highway 434.

Debris pickup in St. Tammany Parish is scheduled on the east side of the Parish from April 1, 2016 - April 7, 2016. Crews in this sector will pick up debris in all flood-impacted areas East of Highway 434.

All debris should be separated into piles and placed at the outer perimeter of property in the right-of-way, but not blocking the roadway. If your property does not have an area of right of way large enough to accommodate the debris, please place it as close to the edge of your property line as possible. The arm of the debris removal truck must be able to reach the debris. White goods in the whole of St. Tammany will be retrieved at a later date because they are disposed of in a different manner and at a different location than vegetative and construction debris, so residents are advised not to be alarmed if your appliances are not picked up with the bulk of your separated debris.

The six categories are as follows: vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, appliances and white goods, electronics, and household hazardous waste.

Debris Pickup Deadlines Set in St. Tammany Parish

In order for St. Tammany Parish to meet the FEMA guidelines for debris pickup reimbursement, Parish Government has laid out more details and has set deadlines for citizens to place flood-related debris at the curb for free pickup. These guidelines are to assist property owners of the 673 flood-damaged structures in western St. Tammany and 45 flood-damaged structures in eastern St. Tammany.

Debris pickup in St. Tammany Parish has been scheduled on the west side of the Parish from Tuesday, March 22, 2016 through Thursday, March 31, 2016. Crews in this sector will pick up debris in all flood-impacted areas West of Louisiana Highway 434.

Debris pickup in St. Tammany Parish is scheduled on the east side of the Parish from April 1, 2016 - April 7, 2016. Crews in this sector will pick up debris in all flood-impacted areas East of Highway 434.

All debris should be separated into piles and placed at the outer perimeter of property in the right-of-way, but not blocking the roadway. If your property does not have an area of right of way large enough to accommodate the debris, please place it as close to the edge of your property line as possible. The arm of the debris removal truck must be able to reach the debris. White goods in the whole of St. Tammany will be retrieved at a later date because they are disposed of in a different manner and at a different location than vegetative and construction debris, so residents are advised not to be alarmed if your appliances are not picked up with the bulk of your separated debris.

The six categories are as follows: vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, appliances and white goods, electronics, and household hazardous waste.

Debris Pickup in St. Tammany Begins

Debris pickup in St. Tammany Parish will begin on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 in flood-affected areas. Debris Pickup Crews will work from west to east, and only flood related debris is eligible. Residents are asked to not bag disaster debris, and to separate debris into the following categories: vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, appliances and white goods, electronics, and household hazardous waste. Place debris at the edge of your property line before the curb in the right of way, or it will not be picked up. Please do not block the roadway, and do not stack or lean debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures including fire hydrants and utility meters. Residents are advised that normal household trash and bagged debris will not be picked up with disaster debris. Residents should continue to follow their normal garbage removal schedule for this waste.

St. Tammany Parish Government Announces Opening of Disaster Recovery Center

St. Tammany Parish Government Announces Opening of Disaster Recovery Center

The first FEMA Disaster Recovery Center(DRC) in St. Tammany Parish will open on Monday, March 21, 2016 on the first floor of the Towers Administrative Building located at 520 Old Spanish Trail in Slidell. The DRC will be in operation Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A second location on the western side of the Parish will open during the coming week.

The DRC will house FEMA, The Small Business Administration (SBA), and other agencies, in order to provide recovery assistance to citizens who have suffered losses in the recent flooding event. In the DRC, citizens can register for federal assistance with FEMA, and to receive information and assistance on disaster relief resources available from, Federal, State, and non-governmental organizations.

STAR Transit operations will resume operations on Thursday, March 17, 2016, with limited service on Military Road until water has receded. Riders may schedule transport by calling the reservation number at 985-327-0185. For those not in the Pearl River flood area, STAR Transit will resume the normal hours of operation 6am-6pm Monday through Friday for rural areas and 6am-6pm Monday through Saturday for urban areas.

STAR Transit is the demand response transit system that operates within the boundaries of St. Tammany Parish.

Wed Mar 16

St. Tammany Parish Government Informational Update with Statement from President Pat Brister

St. Tammany Parish Government Informational Update with Statement from President Pat Brister

St. Tammany Parish Government officials are in the process of transitioning from response mode to recovery mode in the March 2016, heavy rain event.

“As we move from response mode into recovery mode, we want every person impacted by this flooding event to get the assistance they need, and to have an understanding of what is in place right now, and will be in place soon, to assist them,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “We announced yesterday that St. Tammany Parish is now included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of Louisiana as a designated area, eligible for individual disaster assistance through FEMA. We want every resident to know what this declaration means for their families who now need to start their own recovery process. In addition, your Parish Government is working on processes that will expedite cleanup and recovery efforts for affected families and businesses.”

Affected families and businesses can apply for disaster relief through www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Residents may qualify for several federal disaster aid programs as needed and warranted under the disaster declaration issued for the State of Louisiana including, assistance in the form of rental payments for temporary housing, grants for home repairs and the replacement of essential items not covered by insurance, and low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully covered by insurance. To detailed information on what assistance may be available, click here.

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, issued an Executive Order yesterday that waives permit fees for the repairs and/or rebuilding of homes and structures damaged by the effects of this event. All other requirements of the building permit process will remain in place, including, but not limited to; filing for a permit, plan reviews and inspections.

Construction and demolition debris removal has been activated by Parish Government for affected areas only. Pickup dates will be announced shortly and updated on the Parish information line. Residents are asked to leave flood-related debris curbside.

Offices of Parish Government, including the Emergency Operations Center are scheduled to resume normal business hours beginning Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Up-to-date information for affected individuals can be found at www.stpgov.org/disaster and by calling (985) 809-2300.

“I would like to sincerely thank all of our partner agencies for their efforts to work together in this event. The National Guard, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Tammany Fire Districts, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, the Louisiana State Police, the National Weather Service, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana DOTD, the Red Cross and GOHSEP. We were able to pull together and coordinate efforts to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this incident. We will work together to make every family and business impacted by this flooding, whole again. As we have always done, St. Tammany Parish will come together as one community and pull through stronger than we were, with the same sense of unity and resiliency that has always bound us together, that is part of our identity — part of what makes us St. Tammany.”

St. Tammany Parish has received a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This declaration makes Federal funding available to affected individuals. If you are a resident of St. Tammany, and your home or business was damaged by flood waters in the event beginning March 8, and continuing, you may qualify for help from FEMA.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Residents who called the preliminary numbers, 985-898-2323, or 211, should proceed to apply for assistance directly through FEMA with the contact information above.

Tue Mar 15

Permit Fees for Structures Damaged in the March 2016 Heavy Rain Event in St. Tammany Parish Waived

Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, today issued an Executive Order that waives permit fees for the repairs and/or rebuilding of homes and structures damaged by the effects of the March 2016 heavy rain event. All other requirements of the building permit process will remain in place, including, but not limited to; filing for a permit, plan reviews and inspections.

Status of I-59 and I-10: Each have seen rising water but no closures at this time. LSP & DOTD monitoring

Number of St. Tammany Parish Government Teams conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments: 17

Number of Structures Flooded that Preliminary Damage Assessments Have Identified:

St. Tammany West: 615 (Assessments are ongoing)

St. Tammany East: (PDAs will be conducted after the water recedes)

Number of Roads Currently Closed: The latest count on current road closures is 39. (This is subject to change)

Total Number of Roads Closed during the Disaster thus Far: 140 (This is subject to change)

St. Tammany Parish Government issued a preliminary phone number for St. Tammany Parish Flood Victims, 985-898-2323.

National Guard will stage vehicles at locations on Military Road at Crowes Landing, Morgan Bluff, Fisher Dr., Oak Alley, Herwig Bluff, Turtle Creek, Old River Rd, and at Hwy 190 and Indian Village to prevent rubbernecking. Vehicles and personnel will be there by 11:00 am.

Current crest is between Davis Landing and I-10. NWS is only monitoring the Pearl, they can’t give us any approximate times on any tributaries or backwaters. Rate of rising water is slowing down at I-10. Still forecasting crest at I-10 for early this afternoon.

The interstate is at elevation 11.7’. Water is holding for now, but DOTD continues to monitor. Water is at 11.06’ as of 10:00 AM near I-10 the water is not on the shoulder.

Fritchie Barn open for sandbag pick-up until 3:30 p.m. today.

Mon Mar 14

BOIL ADVISORY RESCINDED St. Gertrude Subdivision St. Gertrude Water System (PWS 1103154)

Today (March 14, 2016), Tammany Utilities received confirmation from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the water we provide you is safe for consumption. Therefore, the Boil Advisory is rescinded.

If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Today (March 14, 2016), Tammany Utilities received confirmation from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the water we provide you is safe for consumption. Therefore, the Boil Advisory is rescinded.

If you have any questions, please call Tammany Utilities at (985) 276-6400.

Mon Mar 14

Preliminary Phone Number for St. Tammany Parish Flood Victims

If you have experienced flooding or damage to your home or property during the March Flood and need assistance, please call 985-898-2323. Call takers there will record your pertinent information, and keep it on record. St. Tammany Parish has not yet received a disaster declaration from FEMA, and therefore FEMA will reroute any calls placed directly to them, back through local government agencies. When St. Tammany Parish receives a disaster declaration, we will release that information as well as the phone number to call FEMA directly.

Sun Mar 13

St. Tammany Parish Government Relocating Emergency Operations to Towers Building in Slidell

St. Tammany Parish Government Officials will move Emergency Operations to the Towers Building in Slidell, in advance of the expected crest of the Pearl River to 21 feet late Monday. The executive staff, and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, as well as several essential employees will relocate by noon today.

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, asked the residents of Pearl River to stay tuned to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast of river levels in the coming days, and to be prepared to react to conditions that may arise. Parish officials continue to closely monitor the NWS forecasts as well.

Residents wishing to obtain sandbags can do so at the following locations until 7 p.m. tonight: St. Tammany Parish Public Works - Fritchie Barn, 63119 Louisiana 1090 in Pearl River; St. Tammany Parish Government- Building C, 21410 Koop Dr., Mandeville; St. Tammany Parish Public Works- Covington Barn, 1305 N. Florida St., Covington.

For more information on river stages, visit the National Weather Service River Forecast Center at: www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc.

Sat Mar 12

St. Tammany Parish Officials Asking Residents of Pearl River to be Mindful of River Forecasts

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting that the Pearl River will rise to 19 feet starting on Sunday, March 13, 2016, and it is predicted to crest on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at 21 feet. The last time the river reached these stages was the flood of 1983. Officials at the NWS are predicting that impacts will be very different from what they were in 1983, because of the changes in the natural landscape as well as the natural changes in water flow. They are asking residents to be aware of the situation and be prepared to take action if necessary.

“The historical data we have is a very good tool, but in this case, the span of time between similar events has been over three decades,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “We are urging residents to be alert and stay tuned to what is happening with the Pearl River and to resist the urge to use the last event of this nature as a benchmark of what could occur now, as it may impact your property differently than it did in past events. We are asking that you be prepared to react to conditions that may arise.”

For more information on river stages, visit the National Weather Service River Forecast Center at: www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc.